Farmers optimistic about potato harvest

By MARCIA LANE

Monday

Apr 22, 2013 at 12:37 AM

It's the start of the potato digging season in St. Johns County and Hastings farmer Danny Johns is "cautiously optimistic."

"We're the first to get started," said Johns of Blue Sky Potato Farms, where they began harvesting "specialty stuff - purple potatoes and fingerlings" on Thursday. Such specialty crops have become a huge success in the retail market.

While farmers check plants during the growing season, it's not until they dig a few acres that they begin to have an idea of the yield, said David Dinkins, tri-county sustainable ag agent with the University of Florida's IFAS Extension Service.

"With the cooler nights and warmer days we're getting some great growing weather," Dinkins said.

But leading up to now the weather has been difficult.

"It's been extremely challenging - two major freezes, that hailstorm and then the drought. We've run the whole gamut," Johns said. "I'm waiting on the locusts."

Actually make that four freezes, Dinkins said. Salinity issues also have reduced yield, he said.

Still, Dinkins said he's "hopeful" about the yield and the prices.

Johns used "cautiously optimistic - my stock answer" when asked about yield and prices. "It looks like prices will be good starting off. We don't have a big crop."

Potatoes will be shipped out "from here all over the country basically and Canada. Canada is one of our better customers," Johns said.

The harvest season will continue to at least the middle of June, Dinkins said.

Just as potato digging begins, harvesting of the area's cabbage crops is coming to an end.

"The cabbage season is pretty much winding down. It seems like it was a good season with farmers doing a fantastic job of growing, but market prices are still depressed. It's just tough for farmers," Dinkins said.

ABOUT POTATOES

Chip and table stock potatoes make up the majority of the area crop.

Farmers in the area of St. Johns, Putnam and Flagler counties produce about two-thirds of the potato crop in the state.

While about 150 farmers once raised potatoes in the three-county area, the number of potato farmers has dropped to around 30.

The three-county area is the second largest potato producing area east of the Mississippi River. Largest producer is Maine.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.

Stay Connected

Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted.
The St. Augustine Record ~ One News Place, St. Augustine, FL 32086 ~ Privacy Policy ~ Terms Of Service